Hamlin Dominates to Win at Darlington

Originally written for CLNS Media.

Denny Hamlin won the Bojangles’ Southern 500 from Darlington Raceway on Sunday night.

Hamlin had a strong car all night, but a pit miscue on the final pit stop almost cost him the victory.  Hamlin missed pit road under green, and had to come back around before he could complete his pit stop.

Sarah Crabill/Getty Images

Hamlin said he thought his night was over when he missed pit road and gave up 10 seconds to Martin Truex Jr.

“To get through the adversity we did right there, I knew I had to drive my tail off to get it back,” Hamlin said.

The victory was Hamlin’s second Southern 500 victory, and his second victory of the weekend following a win in Saturday’s Xfinity race.  Hamlin said this victory was more special than his first victory at the track in 2010.

“So proud to be back here in victory lane in the Southern 500,” Hamlin said.  “To have the family around…it means so much more.”

“This track is just amazing; I love this racetrack.  It means everything to me, as far as I’m concerned.”

Truex Jr. led 76 laps on Sunday and looked as though he would wrap up another victory.  But a flat tire with two laps remaining allowed Hamlin to take the lead, and Truex wound up eighth.

Truex said losing the race with such a fast car was a disappointment.

“Sometimes these things just don’t go your way, and tonight not much did,” Truex said.  “We had a fast car…just a phenomenal racecar on the long runs, and it was just two laps too long.”

“I think I could have held him off if the tire didn’t pop.  I wish we could have got it tonight, but that’s the way it goes sometimes.”

Unofficial results:

1. Denny Hamlin

2. Kyle Busch

3. Kurt Busch

4. Austin Dillon

5. Erik Jones

6. Matt Kenseth

7. Ryan Newman

8. Martin Truex Jr.

9. Kevin Harvick

10. Jamie McMurray

11. Chase Elliott

12. Jimmie Johnson

13. Ty Dillon

14. Kyle Larson

15. Brad Keselowski

16. Paul Menard

17. Chris Buescher

18. Joey Logano

19. Michael McDowell

20. Aric Almirola

21. Landon Cassill

22. Dale Earnhardt Jr.

23. Cole Whitt

24. Kasey Kahne

25. David Ragan

26. Danica Patrick

27. Matt DiBenedetto

28. Corey LaJoie

29. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

30. Jeffrey Earnhardt

31. Ryan Blaney

32. Derrike Cope

33. Carl Long

34. AJ Allmendinger

35. Trevor Bayne

36. Gray Gaulding

37. Cody Ware

38. Daniel Suarez

39. Reed Sorenson

40. Clint Bowyer

Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images